Jordan Clarkson's career gets much-needed lifeline to regain Jazz-like role

It's been a rough go of it for Jordan Clarkson since the Utah Jazz waived him. Even though the New York Knicks designated him in a similar role that the Jazz did for four-and-a-half years. His numbers - 9.4 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists a game - make it seem as though the Jazz made the right decision cutting ties with him when they did.

However, Clarkson's Knicks career just got a major lifeline. With the Knicks badly undermanned the other night, the Jazz alum got the start, and he played a role in them beating Denver in double overtime. More than that, Clarkson's role may get bigger now that the Knicks will lose Deuce McBride for the foreseeable future

McBride was a more important factor into the Knicks' hopes and aspirations than Clarkson was, but now that he's out for a while, that opens the door for Clarkson to re-establish his value with the Knicks.

New York has not been better with Clarkson on the floor this season. Net rating-wise, they are a minus-8.5 when he takes the floor, though, to give full context, they are plus-0.7 when he's on the floor and plus-9.2 when he's off.

This means they're okay when he is on the floor, but just much better when he's off it. The strange part is that their offense is better when Clarkson, one of the NBA's premier microwave scorers, isn't on the floor, as they score 6.2 points per 100 possessions more when he's not playing.

With McBride out, this is Clarkson's chance to prove that even if the Knicks are better when he's not playing, they can still be solid when he's on the floor.

Jose Alvarado trade could affect Clarkson's role

The Knicks also acquired Alvarado to mitigate the loss of McBride, as he gives them another scoring spark on the bench until McBride returns. This could have implications for Clarkson's role going forward. Maybe the Knicks have lost faith entirely, but last night served as good proof that there's still hope for him.

At 33 years old, Clarkson's in the twilight of his career, but he played well enough to deserve one more shot at playoff success. That's why it's been sad to see that he was in the Knicks' doghouse for some time before he caught this break.

And hey, if all else fails, the Jazz will start trying next season, so if they're serious, maybe a reunion isn't out of the question next year. Then again, they already have his replacement on the roster, so it wouldn't make much sense.

Danny Ainge has never been one to make sentimental moves either, but crazier things have happened in the NBA!